Egypt, Italy FMs confirm anti-terror cooperation

Egyptian and Italian foreign ministers Sameh Shoukry and Paolo Gentiloni, respectively, affirmed to promote cooperation to face terrorism and that the friendship between the two countries will not be affected by the terror attack against the Italian consulate in Cairo.

During a joint press conference, Gentiloni said he was keen to visit Cairo after the consulate incident to meet Egyptian officials and embassy members.

Shoukry said their meeting probed the consulate attack and that he stressed that cooperation will continue on the same existing level in the political and security fields.

Shoukry said the Italian foreign minister had visited the consulate site this morning and that restoration works are ongoing at the building.

For his part, Gentiloni said he is visiting Egypt to show solidarity with the employees at the Italian embassy, consulate and center and the Egyptian authorities.

The consulate building was opened in 1901 and is a symbol of decades-long cooperation between Egypt and Italy, and Egypt and Europe in fighting terrorism, he said.

He expressed appreciation for the stances taken by President Abdel Fattah El Sisi, Prime Minister Ibrahim Mahlab and Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry in support for Italy.

The Italian consulate in downtown Cairo was hit Saturday by a car bomb that left one person killed and nine others injured.